FRISCO, Texas — Joseph Cecconi is the somewhat forgotten prospect in the Dallas Stars pool of defensive depth.
The 2015 fifth-round pick (133rd overall) doesn’t have the big-name recognition or point totals like other prospects.
But as he proved at the Stars development camp this week, Cecconi is a solid player and a smart defender. He isn’t going to turn any heads with his offensive skill, but he can move the puck out of his zone and makes smart passing decisions.
It’s the type of reliable play you need from a depth defender and Cecconi was part of the American team that won gold at the 2017 World Junior Championships in Montreal.
“World juniors was fantastic,” Cecconi said. “It was awesome to represent the United States and bring home a gold medal and all my family and some of my friends made it up to Montreal to watch the last game, so it was a dream come true.”
Throughout the tournament Cecconi picked up an increased role in the United States lineup. Early on in the tournament he was the seventh defenseman (in IIHF play teams carry 20 skaters), before moving up into a bigger role by the medal round.
“At the start I was playing 10, 12 minutes a night the first four games,” Cecconi said. “After that it moved up to 17, 18 (minutes) and then last two games it moved up to 25, 26 (minutes) so I got a little more of a workout those two games.”
Penalty killing was a key reason for that promotion in playing time. As other defenders struggled a bit shorthanded, Cecconi thrived.
“It has to be done and I figured I’m a big body and I’ve got a good stick, and I know my position well,” he said. “I think I’ve always had a knack for it.”
After the World Juniors the 6-foot-2, 210-pound defender returned to the University of Michigan, where he elevated his game in the second half of the season.
“I came back with a lot of confidence, I knew what I could do on the ice,” Cecconi said. “Going from the top guys from each country to college, it was a little different, but I thought it helped me out tremendously on the confidence side.”
Heading into his junior season it’s a bit of an odd time at Michigan. Long-time coach Red Berenson retired after this past season, and former Michigan Tech coach Mel Pearson will take over the program this fall.
Cecconi said one of the reasons he went to Michigan was to play for Berenson, but he’s looking forward to having a big role under Pearson.
“Last year I thought I had a pretty good role on the team. I just want to keep improving, I’ll let the coach decide,” Cecconi said. “But I’m going to work hard to try and prove I can be the No. 1 defenseman and play in all situations.”
While Cecconi is solid defensively, he’d like to add more offensive elements to his game. He has a decent shot, but only has one goal in 71 career NCAA games.
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